Funders, policy makers, and others should work to spur the development of cost-saving therapies that would help rein in US health spending, says a new report from RAND.

Spending on expensive new technologies and treatments is increasing US health costs. Most cost-cutting strategies focus on reducing use of expensive treatments that don’t add much value, but restraining costs need to start early in their development.

The authors suggest that policy tweaks are needed to create financial incentives for developing interventions that both promote health and reduce health spending.